Drink problems

Your leader (2 September) is right to state that Britain's drink problem is not just with the young. For too long governments have conveniently sought to scapegoat young people as "the problem" in relation to drinking, while ignoring the wider drinking habits of society. Young people drink for the same reasons as adults, because it is enjoyable. Unfortunately, successive governments have done very little to put in the safeguards needed to deter excessive drinking and that has led to an explosion of risky drinking, especially among the young, who are exposed to marketing that makes drinking appear attractive, and heavily discounted alcohol. It seems every government since 1980 has consistently ignored the global evidence on alcohol and affordability and the advice of its medical establishment. With many consuming far more alcohol than moderate drinkers, it is no surprise there is so much industry lobbying to preserve the status quo. However, until governments understand the economic gains of the whole country drinking less, not more, we will presumably continue to need scapegoats to hide our own drinking habits.